System and Method for Visualizing Data

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises an improved system and method for visualizing data. In a preferred form of the invention, there is provided an improved system and method for comprehending and communicating time course or sequential numerical data, and their complex interdependencies, through the use of a novel three dimensional orthogonal chart system. In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising of a plurality of data sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented as a separate ribbon propagating along the first axis. In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising of a plurality of data sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented as a separate ribbon propagating along a first axis, with the separate ribbons being displaced from one another along another axis.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation patent application of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/800/651 filed May 7, 2007, which is acontinuation patent application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/411/499filed Apr. 10, 2003, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/371,466, filed Apr. 10, 2002, eachof which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to data visualization in general, and moreparticularly to systems and methods for visualizing data, and even moreparticularly to systems and methods for visualizing financial data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of investors are now trading in the securities markets.According to Business Week™, there are currently about 100 millionindividual investors In the United States alone. These individualsinvest in the securities markets either on their own as individualtraders or through a variety of brokers. According to The Tower Group™,there are currently about 675,000 registered brokers in the UnitedStates alone. These brokers work at about 5,500 different firms whichstaff almost 90,000 branch offices throughout the United States.

An enormous amount of financial information is now available toprofessional and individual investors, and the volume and availabilityof this information is growing at an explosive rate. By way of example,note the recent explosion of online financial information. Price quotesfor almost any financial instrument (e.g., stocks, bonds, etc.) are nowreadily available from a wide variety of online sites. Furthermore,Morningstar™ now offers its mutual fund ratings online, and Yahoo™allows an investor to review SEC filings, look at analysts' stockrecommendations, and learn hew other markets around the world areperforming. At the same time, traditional print publications such as TheWall Street Journal™ and The Financial Times™ are making more and morefinancial information available to the reader, and traditional broadcastmedia such as television and cable television art; now providing 24-hourbusiness programming.

The widespread availability of this enormous volume of often conflictingand confusing information often inhibits the ability of investors tocomprehend and utilize the information efficiently. As a result, theirconfidence in what that information means frequently decreases almost inproportion to the rate at which the quantity of information grows. Thesheer quantity of data obscures the correlation and interdependenciesinherent in that data. For individual investors, the volume of data canba daunting. Even experienced traders, looking at dynamically changingassortments of numbers, tables, charts and graphs, are sometimesoverwhelmed. This often leads to increased stress, eye fatigue andfrustration. Under these conditions, even seasoned professionalssometimes fail to make critical decisions well and frequently resort tothe oldest—and possibly the most unreliable—criteria of all, the “gutinstinct”.

Thus there is a significant need for a more effective tool for miningthe wealth of financial data currently available, extracting significantinformation therefrom, and presenting the same to the investor invisually compelling manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises an improved system and method forvisualizing data. In a preferred form of the invention, there isprovided an improved system and method for comprehending andcommunicating financial data, and their complex interdependencies,through the use of a novel three dimensional, orthogonal chart system.

In one preferred form of the invention, there is provided a threedimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising atleast two data sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbonpropagating along a first axis and the second data set is represented asa curtain propagating along the first axis.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a threedimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising atleast three data sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbonpropagating along a first axis, the second data set is represented as acurtain propagating along the first axis, and the third data set isrepresented as a back plane propagating along the first axis.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a threedimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising atleast three data sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbonpropagating along a first axis, the second data set is represented as afirst curtain propagating along the first axis, and the third data setis represented as a stacked curtain propagating along the first axis.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a threedimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising atleast four data sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbonpropagating along a first axis, the second and third data sets arerepresented as first and second stacked curtains propagating along thefirst axis, and the fourth data set is represented as a back planepropagating along the first axis, wherein the fourth data set maycomprise a composite of the second and third data sets.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a threedimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising aplurality of data sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented asa separate ribbon propagating along a first axis, with the separateribbons being displaced from one another along another axis.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a threedimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising aplurality of data sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented asa separate ribbon propagating along a first axis, with the separateribbons being displaced from one another along another axis, and furtherwherein a moving cursor plane is configured for movement along the firstaxis.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a threedimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising aplurality of data sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented asa separate ribbon propagating along a first axis, with the separateribbons being displaced from one another along a second axis, arid withthe angle of view being an overhead view in an orthographic projection.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a threedimensional orthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising thepricing, distribution, and trading activity for option contracts,including both calls and pits, with strike price being plotted along thefirst axis, option price (or some other data set) being plotted alongthe second axis, arid expiration date being plotted along a third axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application contains drawings executed in color. Copies of thepublished Application or issued Patent with color drawings will beprovided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

Objects and features of the present invention as discussed hereinabovewill be more fully disclosed by the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments, which are to be considered together with theaccompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts andfurther wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a first embodiment of thepresent invention/ wherein there is provided a three dimensionalorthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising at least twodata sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbon propagatingalong a first axis and the second data set is represented as a curtainpropagating along the first axis;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing second embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein there is provided a three dimensionalorthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising at least threedata sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbon propagatingalong a first axis, the second data set is represented as a curtainpropagating along the first axis, and the third data set is representedas a back plane propagating along the first axis;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing a third embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein there is provided a three dimensionalorthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising at least fourdata sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbon propagatingalong a first axis, the second data set is represented as a firstcurtain propagating along the first axis, and the third and fourth datasets are represented as stacked curtains propagating along the firstaxis;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein there is provided a three dimensionalorthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising at least fourdata sets, wherein one data set is represented as a ribbon propagatingalong a first axis, the second and third data sets are represented asfirst and second stacked curtains propagating along the first axis, andthe fourth data set is represented as a back plane propagating along thefirst axis, wherein the fourth data set comprises a composite of thesecond and third data sets;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein there is provided a three dimensionalorthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising a plurality ofdata sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented as a separateribbon propagating along a first axis, with the separate ribbons beingdisplaced from one another along another axis;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration showing a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein there is provided a three dimensionalorthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising a plurality ofdata sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented as a separateribbon propagating along a first axis, with the separate ribbons beingdisplaced from one another along another axis, and further wherein amoving cursor plane is configured for movement along the first axis;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration showing a seventh embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein there is provided a three dimensionalorthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising a plurality ofdata sets, wherein each of the data sets is represented as a separateribbon propagating along a first axis, with the separate ribbons beingdisplaced from one another along a second axis, and with the angle ofview being an overhead view in an orthographic projection; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration showing an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention, wherein there is provided a three dimensionalorthogonal chart system for visualizing data comprising the pricing,distribution, and trading activity for option contracts, including bothcalls arid puts, with strike price being plotted along the first axis,option price (or some other data set) being plotted along the secondaxis, and expiration date being plotted along a third axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Overview

The present invention provides a unique system and method forvisualizing financial information. More particularly, the presentinvention provides a unique visualization system for visualizingfinancial information relating to securities arid other financialinstruments such as, but not limited to, stocks, bonds, mutual funds,options, futures, indexes, derivatives, currency, Treasuries, moneymarket funds and the like.

The financial information being visualized may be based on raw dataobtained from a historical database and/or a live data feed, and/or itmay be based on data derived from (e.g., calculated from) a historicaldatabase and/or a live data feed.

In order to create the desired visualization for the financialinformation, the axes of a three dimensional orthogonal coordinatesystem are first established based on attributes of the data. Theseattributes may be, but are not limited to, time, price, volume, yield,relative compound growth, relative portfolio value and/or other relevantmetrics. The axes may be linear or non-linear, continuous ornon-continuous (i.e., discrete), and/or contiguous or non-contiguous,asdesired. For example, multiple, discrete date ranges of a singlesecurity may be displayed simultaneously within the same visualization.

By way of further example but not limitation/an axis may represent afinite/discrete domain, e.g., the strike prices of option contracts.

The data is then plotted into the chart in accordance with the presentinvention.

First Embodiment

Looking first at FIG. 1, in one preferred form of the invention, thereis provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system 101 forvisualizing data comprising at least two data sets, wherein one data setis represented as a ribbon 105 propagating along a first (i.e., X) axis110, and the second data set is represented as a curtain 115 propagatingalong the first axis 110. Preferably ribbon 105 varies in height along asecond (i.e., Y) axis 120, while having a substantially fixed width asmeasured along the third (i.e., Z) axis 125. Preferably curtain 115 hasa height, along the second (Y) axis 120 which is the same as the heightof ribbon 105 at that point along the first (X) axis 110, and a varyingdisplacement along the third (Z) axis 125. Alternatively, curtain 115may have a height different than the height of ribbon 105, e.g., it maybe of a fixed height intersecting ribbon 105. If desired, ribbon 105and/or curtain 115 can be colored and/or variably shaded and/or ofvarying opacity and/or of varying material properties (e.g., texture,reflectivity, shininess, etc.) so as to communicate additionalinformation (i.e., data sets).

In one particularly preferred form of the invention, three dimensionalorthogonal chart system 101 is utilized to chart stock transactions,with date being represented along the first (X) axis 110, and with pricebeing plotted along the second (Y) axis 120 by ribbon 105 and volumebeing plotted along the third (Z) axis 125 by curtain 115. With respectto ribbon 105, it may also be shaded according to its variance from normand its width may be fixed but represent the maximum volume traded. Withrespect to curtain 115, it may be shaded according to its variance fromnorm, and its opacity may vary in relation to its variance from norm.

Second Embodiment

Looking next at FIG. 2, in another preferred form of the invention,there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system 130 forvisualizing data comprising at least three data sets, wherein one dataset is represented as a ribbon 105 propagating along the first (X) axis110, the second data set is represented as a curtain 115 propagatingalong the first (X) axis 110, and the third data set is represented as aback plane 135 propagating along the first (X) axis 110. Again, ribbon105 preferably varies in height along the second (Y) axis 120, whilehaving a substantially fixed width as measured along the third axis (Z)axis 125. Preferably curtain 115 has a height along the second (Y) axis120 which is the same as the height of ribbon 105 at that point alongthe first (X) axis 110, and a varying displacement along the third (Z)axis 125. Alternatively, curtain 115 may have a height different thanthe height of ribbon 105, e.g., it may be of a fixed height intersectingribbon 105. Preferably back plane 135 varies in height along the second(Y) axis 120. If desired, ribbon 105, curtain 115 and back plane 135 canbe colored and/or variably shaded and/or of varying opacity and/or ofvarying material properties (e.g., texture, reflectivity, shininess,etc.) so as to communicate additional information (i.e., data sets). Inone particularly preferred form of the invention, three dimensionalorthogonal chart system 101 is utilized to chart stock transactions,with date being represented along the first (X) axis 110, and with pricebeing plotted along the second (Y) axis 120 by ribbon 105, volume beingplotted along the third (Z) axis 125 by curtain 115, and standarddeviation (i.e., σ) being plotted along the second (Y) axis 120 by backplane 135. With respect to ribbon 105, it may also be shaded accordingto its variance from norm and its width may be fixed but represent themaximum volume traded. With respect to curtain 115, it may be shadedaccording to its variance from norm, and its opacity may vary inrelation to its variance from norm.

Third Embodiment

Looking next at FIG. 3, in another preferred form of the invention,there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system 137 forvisualizing data comprising at least four data sets, wherein one dataset is represented as a ribbon 105 propagating along the first (X) axis110, the second data set is represented as a first curtain 115propagating along the first (X) axis 110, and the third and fourth datasets are represented as stacked curtains 140 and 145, respectively,propagating along the first (X) axis 110.

Again, ribbon 105 preferably varies in height along the second (Y) axis120, while having a substantially fixed width as measured along thethird (Z) axis 125. Preferably first curtain 115 has a height along thesecond (Y) axis 120 which is the same as the height of ribbon 105 atthat point along the first (X) axis 110, and a varying displacementalong the third (Z) axis 125. Alternatively, curtain 115 may have aheight different than the height of ribbon 105, e.g., it may be of afixed height intersecting ribbon 105.

Preferably stacked curtains 140 and 145 have a substantially constantheight along the second (Y) axis 120, and a varying displacement alongthe third (Z) axis 125. If desired, ribbon 105, first curtain 115 andstacked curtains 140 and 145 can be colored and/or variably shadedand/or of varying opacity and/or of varying material properties (e.g.,texture, reflectivity, shininess, etc.) so as to communicate additionalinformation (i.e., data sets). In one particularly preferred form of theinvention, three dimensional orthogonal chart system 117 is utilized tochart stock transactions, with date being represented along the first(X) axis 110, and with price being plotted along the second (Y) axis 120by ribbon 105, volume being plotted along the third (Z) axis 125 bycurtain 115, moving average volume being plotted along the third (Z)axis 125 by stacked curtain 140 and stochastic (short term pricevelocity) being plotted along the third (Z) axis 125 by stacked curtain145. With respect to ribbon 105, it may also be shaded according to itsvariance from norm and its width may be fixed but represent the maximumvolume traded. With respect to curtain 115, it may be shaded accordingto its variance from norm, and its opacity may vary in relation to itsvariance from norm.

Fourth Embodiment

Looking next at FIG. 4, in another preferred form of the invention,there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system 150 forvisualizing data comprising at least four data sets, wherein one dataset is represented as a ribbon 105 propagating along the first (X) axis110, the second and third data sets are represented as first and secondstacked curtains 140 arid 145, respectively, propagating along the first(X) axis 110, and the fourth data set is represented as a back plane 135propagating along the first (X) axis 110, wherein the fourth data setcomprises a composite of the second and third data sets. Alternatively,the fourth data set may comprise something other than a composite of thesecond and third data sets. Again, ribbon 105 preferably varies inheight along the second (Y) axis 120, while having a substantially fixedwidth as measured along the third (Z) axis 125.

Preferably stacked curtains 140 and 145 have a substantially constantheight along the second (Y) axis 120, arid a varying displacement alongthe third (Z) axis 125. If desired, ribbon 105 and stacked curtains 140and 145 and back plane 135 can be colored and/or variably shaded and/orof varying opacity and/or of varying material properties (e.g., texture,reflectivity, shininess, etc.) so as to communicate additionalinformation (i.e., data sets). In one particularly preferred form of theinvention, three dimensional orthogonal chart system 150 is utilized tochart stock transactions, with date being represented along the first(X) axis 110, and with price being plotted along the second (Y) axis 120by ribbon 105, stochastic (short term price velocity) being plottedalong the third (Z) axis 125 by stacked curtain 140, volume beingplotted along the third (Z) axis 125 by stacked curtain 145, and thecomposite of the stochastic and volume being plotted along the third (Z)axis 125 by back plane 135. With respect to ribbon 105, it may also beshaded according to its variance from norm and its width may be fixedbut represent the maximum volume traded. With respect to stackedcurtains 140 and 145, they may be shaded according to their variancefrom norm, and their opacity may vary in relation to their variance fromnorm.

Fifth Embodiment

Looking next at FIG. 5, in another preferred form of the invention,there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system 155 forvisualizing data comprising a plurality of data sets, wherein each ofthe data sets is represented as a separate ribbon 105A, 105B/105C, etc.propagating along the first (X) axis 110, with the separate ribbons105A, 105B, 105C, etc. being displaced from one another along the third(Z) axis 125. Each ribbon 105A, 105B, 105C, etc. preferably varies inheight along the second (Y) axis 120, while having a substantially fixedwidth as measured along the third (Z) axis 125. If desired, ribbon 105A,105B, 105C, etc. can be colored and/or shaded and/or of varying opacityand/or of varying material properties (e.g., texture, reflectivity,shininess, etc.) so as to communicate additional information (i.e., datasets). In one particularly preferred form of the invention, threedimensional orthogonal chart system 155 is utilized to chart stocktransactions, with date being represented along the first (X) axis 110,and with the performance for one stock being plotted along the second(Y) axis 120 by ribbon 105A, the performance for another stock beingplotted along the second (Y) axis 120 by ribbon 105B, the performancefor still another stock being plotted along the second (Y) axis 120 byribbon 105C, etc. By way of example but not limitation/performance canbe measured in terms of rate of return, value, relative value, relativevalue over time, etc. With respect to ribbon 105R, 105B, 105C, etc, itmay also be shaded according to its variance from norm and its width maybe fixed but represent the maximum volume traded.

Sixth Embodiment

Looking next at FIG. 6, in another preferred form or the invention,there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system 160 forvisualizing data comprising a plurality of data sets, wherein each ofthe data sets is represented as a separate ribbon 105A, 105B, 105C, etc.propagating along the first (X) axis 110, with the separate ribbons105A, 105B, 105C, etc. being displaced from one another along the third(Z) axis 125, and a moving cursor plane 165 being configured formovement along the first (X) axis 110. Each ribbon 105A, 105B, 105C,etc. preferably varies in height along the second (Y) axis 120, whilehaving a substantially fixed width as measured along the third (Z) axis125. The moving cursor plane 165 preferably extends parallel to thesecond and third axes 120 and 125. If desired, ribbon 105A, 105B, 105C,etc. can be colored and/or variably shaded and/or of varying opacityand/or of varying material properties (e.g., texture, reflectivity,shininess, etc.) so as to communicate additional information (i.e., datasets. In one particularly preferred form of the invention, threedimensional orthogonal chart system 160 is utilized to chart stocktransactions, with date being represented along the first (X) axis 110,and with the performance for one stock being plotted along the second(Y) axis 120 by ribbon 105A, the performance for another stock beingplotted along the second (Y) axis 120 by ribbon 105B, the performancefor still another stock being plotted along the second (Y) axis 120 byribbon 105C, etc. Again, by way of example but not limitation,performance can be measured in terms of rate of return, value, relativevalue, relative value over time, etc. With respect to ribbon 105A, 105B,105C, etc., it may also be shaded according to its variance from normand its width may be fixed but represent the maximum volume traded.

Seventh Embodiment

Looking next at FIG. 7, in another preferred form of the invention,there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system 170 forvisualizing data comprising a plurality of data sets, wherein each ofthe data sets is represented as a separate ribbon 105A, 105B, 105C, etc.propagating along the first (X) axis 110, with the separate ribbons105A, 105B, 105C, etc. being displaced from one another along the third(Z) axis 125, and with the angle of view being a overhead view in anorthographic projection. If desired, ribbon 105A, 105B, 105C, etc. canbe colored and/or variably shaded and/or of varying opacity and/or ofvarying material properties (e.g., texture, reflectivity, shininess,etc.) so as to communicate additional information (i.e., data sets). Inone particularly preferred form of the invention, three dimensionalorthogonal chart system 170 is utilized to chart stock transactions,with date being represented along the first (X) axis 110, and with theperformance for one stock being plotted along the second (Y) axis 120 byribbon 105A, the performance for another stock being plotted along thesecond (Y) axis 120 by ribbon 105B, the performance for still anotherstock being plotted along the second (Y) axis 120 by ribbon 105C, etc.Again, by way of example but not limitation, performance can be measuredin terms of rate of return, value, relative value, relative value overtime, etc. With respect to ribbon 105A, 105B, 105C, etc., it may beshaded according to its variance from norm and its width may be fixedbat represent the maximum volume traded.

Eight Embodiment

Looking next at FIG. 3, in another preferred form of the invention,there is provided a three dimensional orthogonal chart system 175 forvisualizing data comprising the pricing, distribution, and tradingactivity for option contracts, including both calls and puts. Individualoption contracts may be represented by discrete objects 180 placedwithin the three dimensional chart system, where strike price may beplotted along the first (X) axis 110, volume (or sane other data set)may be plotted along the second (Y) axis 120, and expiration date may beplotted along a third (Z) axis 125. Different shapes may representdifferent data sets, (e.g., calls may be represented by rectangles, putsby cylinders, etc.). Furthermore, color, shading, opacity, etc. mayrepresent additional data sets. By way of example but not limitation,other data sets may comprise implied volatility, historical volatility,intrinsic value, time value, etc. The various axes may comprise discreteand finite elements, e.g., strike price may only occur at selectedvalues.

Implementation

The present invention can be implemented manually (e.g., with a penciland paper) or, more preferably, it can be implemented with a computersystem.

Computer Implementation—Overview. In a preferred computerimplementation, the system is implemented in a software applicationrunning on a computer. The computer receives, collects and storessecurities data which may be provided by one or more third-party,real-time data feeds, providing that data on both an as-requested andstreamed basis to the computer.

Functional Components—The software is preferably divided into fourfunctional components or stages: data receipt and collection, analysis,visualization, and interaction.

Data Collection—At this first stage, securities data is collected fromone or more third-party data feed providers and stored. The computerobtains both historical and streamed data. In one preferred form of theinvention, the computer can access both premium (i.e., for-paymentaccess) and publicly available sources.

Analysis—In this second stage, a variety of user-selectable analyticmethods my be applied to the data set. Existing financial analysistechniques (e.g., moving average, stochastic, etc.) are provided.Statistical elements derived in this stage are also available as dataset inputs for the visualization stage. New technologies such as waveletanalysis for noise reduction are preferably also provided.

Visualization—In this third stage, the data sets are rendered in themanner previously described, using computer graphic techniques, so as togenerate the aforementioned charts arid thereby permit the user to moreeasily extract meaning from the data sets.

Interaction—In a preferred form of the invention, a sophisticated andintuitive user interface is provided, so as to enable the user toisolate, view, and compare a variety of different data sets. By way ofexample, the user interface permits the user to assign different datasets to different chart elements (e.g., price to ribbon, volume tocurtain, etc.) and permits the user to move chart elements asappropriate (e.g., to move the moving cursor plane 160 shown in FIG. 6).

Applications

The present invention is particularly well suited for application tofinancial data. However, it will also be appreciated that it may beapplied to a wide range of other fields as well, the analysis ofscientific data, network traffic analysis, etc. The present invention isparticularly well suited to time series analysis.

Modifications

It will, of course, be appreciated that various modifications may bemade to the preferred embodiments described above without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

Thus, for example, the elements of one embodiment may be combined withelements of another embodiment without departing from the presentinvention.

By way of example but not limitation, additional visual elements (e.g.,additional ribbons, curtains, stacked curtains, back planes, etc.) maybe added to any of the charts to represent additional data sets.

Furthermore, the angle of view may be altered or adjusted for any of thecharts.

Also, if desired, charts may be generated via a variety of projections,e.g., perspective (as in the majority of the charts discussed above),orthographic, isometric, elevation, etc.

These and other changes of their type are considered to be within thescope of the present invention.

What claimed is:
 1. A system for visualizing data from a plurality ofdata sets, the system comprising: a computing device to implement in agraphical display device, coupled to the computing device, a perspectiverendering of a plurality of visually distinct ribbons in athree-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, wherein: each of thedata sets is represented as a separate ribbon propagating along a firstaxis, each ribbon has a height along a second axis and a width along athird axis, wherein values of first, second, and third attributes aredefined along the first, second, and third axes respectively, and eachribbon is separated from the other ribbons along the third axis, and, atany location on such ribbon, such ribbon has a height that is uniformacross the width of the ribbon.
 2. The system according to claim 1wherein a portion of each of the ribbons varies in height along a secondaxis, while having a fixed width as measured along the third axis. 3.The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the ribbons iscolored or variably shaded of varying opacity or of varying materialproperties so as to communicate additional information.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 1 wherein the computing device is configured forvisualizing data relating to securities transactions, with time beingthe first attribute and dates being represented along the first axis,and with securities data being the second attribute and the securitiesdata for one security being plotted along the second axis by a firstribbon, the securities data for another security being along the secondaxis by a second ribbon, the securities data for still another securitybeing plotted along the second axis by a third ribbon.
 5. Anon-transitory computer readable medium storing software thereon, thesoftware comprising instructions configured to cause at least oneprocessor of at least one computer to perform steps comprising:providing a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, wherein:each of the data sets is represented as a separate ribbon propagatingalong a first axis, each ribbon has a height along a second axis and awidth along a third axis, wherein values of first, second, and thirdattributes are defined along the first, second, and third axesrespectively, and each ribbon is separated from the other ribbons alongthe third axis, and, at any location on such ribbon, such ribbon has aheight that is uniform across the width of the ribbon.
 6. A system forvisualizing data comprising a plurality of data sets, the systemcomprising: a computing device to implement in a graphical displaycoupled to the computing device a perspective rendering of a pluralityof visually distinct ribbons in a three-dimensional orthogonalcoordinate system, each such ribbon having a pair of opposed sidesdefining at any location along such ribbon a width thereof, wherein:each of the data sets is represented as a distinct ribbon propagatingalong a first axis along which are defined values of a first attribute,each ribbon has a height along a second axis along which are definedvalues of a second attribute, and each ribbon is separated from theother ribbons along a third axis, and, at any location on such ribbon,such ribbon has a height that is uniform across the width of the ribbon.7. The system according to claim 6 wherein each such ribbon is variablein width along the third axis along which is defined by values of athird attribute.
 8. The system according to claim 6 wherein at least oneof the plurality of visually distinct ribbons is colored or variablyshaded or of varying opacity or of varying material properties so as tocommunicate additional information.
 9. The system according to claim 6wherein the computing device is configured for visualizing data relatingto securities transactions, with time being the first attribute anddates being represented along the first axis, and with securities databeing the second attribute and the securities data for a first securitybeing plotted along the second axis by a first one of the ribbons, thesecurities data for a second security being plotted along the secondaxis by a second one of the ribbons, the securities data for a thirdsecurity being plotted along the second axis by a third one of theribbons.
 10. The system according to claim 6 wherein an angle of view ofthe plurality of ribbons being an overhead view such that each ribbon'slength is parallel to any adjacent ribbon's length.
 11. A non-transitorycomputer readable medium storing software thereon, the softwarecomprising instructions configured to cause at least one processor of atleast one computer to perform steps comprising: providing athree-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, each such ribbon havinga pair of opposed sides defining at any location along such ribbon awidth thereof, wherein: each of the data sets is represented as adistinct ribbon propagating along a first axis along which are definedvalues of a first attribute, each ribbon has a height along a secondaxis along which are defined values of a second attribute, and eachribbon is separated from the other ribbons along a third axis, and, atany location on such ribbon, such ribbon has a height that is uniformacross the width of the ribbon.
 12. A computer implemented method forvisualizing data, comprising a plurality of data sets that areaccessible to a computing device, the method comprising: causing thecomputing device to implement in a graphical display coupled to thecomputing device a perspective rendering in a three-dimensionalorthogonal coordinate system of attributes, wherein different shapesrepresent different datasets, for a plurality of datasets; whereinindividual datasets are represented by discrete objects placed withinthe three-dimensional chart system, with a first attribute being plottedalong a first axis, a second attribute being plotted along a secondaxis, and a third attribute being plotted along a third axis, andwherein at least one axis comprises discrete and finite elements. 13.The method of claim 12 wherein strike price is plotted along the firstaxis, option price is plotted along the second axis, and expiration dateis plotted along the third axis.
 14. A system for visualizing datacomprising a plurality of data sets, the system comprising: a computingdevice to implement in a graphical display coupled to the computingdevice a perspective rendering of a plurality of visually distinctribbons in a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, wherein:different shapes represent different datasets, for a plurality ofdatasets; individual datasets are represented by discrete objects placedwithin the three-dimensional chart system, with a first attribute beingplotted along a first axis, a second attribute being plotted along asecond axis, and a third attribute being plotted along a third axis, andat least one axis comprises discrete and finite elements.
 15. Anon-transitory computer readable medium storing software thereon, thesoftware comprising instructions configured to cause at least oneprocessor of at least one computer to perform steps comprising:providing a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, each suchribbon having a pair of opposed sides defining at any location alongsuch ribbon a width thereof, wherein: different shapes representdifferent datasets, for a plurality of datasets; individual datasets arerepresented by discrete objects placed within the three-dimensionalchart system, with a first attribute being plotted along a first axis, asecond attribute being plotted along a second axis, and a thirdattribute being plotted along a third axis, and at least one axiscomprises discrete and finite elements.